Europe's 16 oldest cities

12. Mytilene, Lesbos, Greece

When did the earliest inhabitants settle? 1,100 BC

This ancient city is now the capital of the Aegean island of Lesbos, not far from the Turkish coast. Aristotle lived on the islands for two years, 337-335 BC - although whether he inhabited what we know as the city today is unclear. Records of the island exist in Homer, notably for the attacks by the Achaeans during the Trojan War (12th or 13th century BC).Today visitors to the city can admire Gateluzzi castle, the church of Agios Therapo, and a Statue of Liberty, while the most important exports are sardines and ouzom an anise-flavoured liquor.